Dangerous Lycan: Claim Betrayed Luna’s Second Chance Mate

I managed to stay in for a while. Nikkei might be caught up in what she was doing because she had not stop by as she said that she would. My plan was easy. Find out what Kieran was up to and then proceed with the preparations before the white moon. So at maximum, I had less than a few days to do my little findings. But I haven’t gotten the guts to leave the room yet and face him. Deep down I was scared of what I would find.

I had just been pulled out from my nap from the knock on the door. It was Nikkei.

“Hey, come in,” I ushered her in.

“Sorry I took so long to finish up.”

“Oh no its fine. How long has it been? Just a couple of days. You needed the reset,” I said.

“Well, it seems like that makes two of us. Have you spoken to Kieran yet, Clara?” she asked.

I hesitated feeling a strange tightness in my throat. How could I explain the emotions that swirled within me suspicion, fear, and a stench of betrayal?

Nikkei’s eyes narrowed. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not at all,” I walked towards the window.

“I can sense that there’s something you’re not telling me. And this is not a witch thing.” Her voice was gentle and a bit firm. And I felt safe to speak.

I took a deep breath, “I don’t trust Kieran.” The words hung heavy in the air, for a while.

Nikkei’s brow furrowed. “What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know but I suspect something.”

“What is it?”

“Remember that day that I was supposed to meet Kieran and ask about the location of the bonfire and other things?”

“The day you ditched me? Yeah, I remember.”

“That’s not what happened,” I eyed her.

“Anyway, what happened?”

“When I arrived at Kieran’s chambers I heard his voice like a hushed conversation. It had this cryptic urgency in it. So I felt that I should wait outside for a while. And then I heard him say something,” I paused and swallowed.

“Heard him say what? What did you hear him say?”

“I’ll quote him he said ‘you know it has to be her and no one else. Then he said that everything was going according to how they had planned. He also said that the full moon is in two weeks, just as they had discussed. They? Who are this they? The werewolf council members?”

I looked at her.

“That’s a bit cryptic but this could be anything. It might just be another Lycan King’s business.”

“That’s not all. He ended the call the moment I knocked “but that was before I heard him mention something about needing ‘more power.”

“Hmm…”

“He had this look on his face when he saw me,” I continued.

“What look?” She asked.

“Like he didn’t want to see me at that time. It was weird because I always came around.”

“Did you ask him about it?”

“I did ask but not directly and he lied to me.”

“Maybe he didn’t understand.”

“Maybe you don’t understand,” I said.

“I do. You have to calm down. What are your fears?”

“What if he is just like Ryan and I just don’t know yet? Maybe he just wants my powers for himself just like everyone else and this mating ceremony is the only way to get that? Oh God, it is terrifying because I trust him and I don’t want that to change.”

“Then keep trusting him. You can ask him directly if the need arises.”

“Will he not think that I’m overstepping? Especially if it turns out that I’m wrong.”

“If it gets to that point.”

“I wish I hadn’t been there to hear all this because now I feel that I shouldn’t trust him.

“You’ll do what needs to be done because trust is all that is needed to make this ceremony a success. And if that is missing, then you shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Okay,” I nodded.

“Right now, just watch closely and don’t allow your past experiences to cloud your judgment. Don’t let it get to your head again.”

“You think I’m overreacting?”

“Perhaps a little,” Nikkei said, her smile widened. “Kieran may be secretive, but he’s not Ryan. The Lycan have a deep respect for their ladies and Kieran would never dream of harming you.”

Her words somehow soothed me reducing the beating of my heart. “Its just the conversation. The power he mentioned.”

“There are many reasons why a Lycan King might need more power,” she explained. “Perhaps the threat to the pack from the members of the council. That maybe it and you don’t expect him to share information with you especially now that you have been given a tasks.”

What she said felt right.

“Then, I think I need to see Kieran,” I mumbled.

Nikkei chuckled. “Yeah you would, but before you go running off, there’s something else we need to discuss.”

“What is it?”

“This ceremony, Clara,” Nikkei said, her eyes twinkled. “Kieran has left everything in your hands for a reason.”

“Yes I know. And I will continue with the preparations but not today. Its been a while we trained. Let’s do that first,” I smiled.

She nodded, “Okay,” I knew that she wasn’t buying it.

….

It was a beautiful morning, the sunlight ran in through the window and the door as soon as I opened it. There was a grip in my stomach as Kieran entered my room.

“Hey Kieran, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Yeah I know. I’m sorry for just showing up like that I just wanted to know how the preparations for the ceremony is coming along.”

I shifted uncomfortably, as I thought about the question. I knew that I’d been purposefully delaying any real planning. Nikkei’s reassurances had calmed my anxieties somewhat, but I still felt that something was wrong.

“There’s… a lot to consider,” I stammered, as I searched for more words that would make sense for an excuse. “The rituals, the guests…”

Kieran’s brow furrowed slightly. “We can discuss the details,” he said calmly. “But surely you have some ideas in mind?”

I did. In fact, I had notebooks filled with sketches and ideas and Nikkei willing to give out more. But now sharing them with Kieran felt off.

“I just want everything to be perfect,” I finally managed the words although it sounded hollow even to my own ears and hard to believe but I hoped that he would buy it.

Kieran’s looked at me and I looked away.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

“Perfect is subjective, Clara. What matters most is that the ceremony reflects our bond.”

There was a hint of something in his voice, a tremor of an emotion I couldn’t quite understand. Was it frustration? Disappointment? Or a little of both.

Before I could respond, he turned to leave. “Take your time with the preparations,” he said, “But remember, until the mating bond is done, you are not under my full protection. I will not be able to help you Clara. Please I don’t want to see you get hurt when there is something I could have done. I can’t live with regrets again.”

His words left me tensed. It reminded me of everything, the main reason why he had suggested it in the first place. From the dangers that lurked outside the palace walls. To the fear that came with having my powers.

Kieran reached the doorway, his hand hovered on the knob.

“Think carefully, Clara,” he said over his shoulder, in a low rumble.

“Okay.”

“I wouldn’t want you to bear the consequences of delaying.”

With those words, he disappeared. I still heard the words echoing in my ear. I wanted to call him back and tell him what had been eating me up and making me slow down on the ceremony. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it and so, I just let him go.